Oswalt leaves to aid family

Houston Astros ace Roy Oswalt returned to Mississippi on Saturday after his parents’ home was damaged in a tornado.

Oswalt grew up in Weir, Miss., where his parents still live. A tornado moved across at least three Mississippi counties, killing 10 people, injuring several others and ripping the tops off of buildings.

Oswalt’s parents were not injured. Oswalt should rejoin the team by Tuesday.

Pirates pitcher injured

Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Chris Jakubauskas was hit near his right ear by Lance Berkman’s line drive in the first inning of Saturday’s game and was carted off the field.

He was examined by Astros team doctor David Lintner and sent to Methodist Hospital for further tests. Jakubauskas was to be kept at the hospital overnight for observation. The team was awaiting X-ray results.

The former Mariner was called up from the minors Friday and was making his first start of the season.

Boston gets OF help

With Mike Cameron and Jacoby Ellsbury on the 15-day disabled list, the Boston Red Sox reacquired Jonathan Van Every from the Pittsburgh Pirates for a player to be named.

Boston had been using recent callups Josh Reddick and Darnell McDonald. Reddick will go back to Triple-A Pawtucket.

“I think the thought was that he (Van Every) and Reddick essentially do the same thing, but we didn’t want Reddick sitting (in the majors),” manager Terry Francona said.

Ramirez sent home

Dodgers manager Joe Torre said he sent Manny Ramirez home to Los Angeles to get treatment on his strained right calf.

Torre said it didn’t make sense to keep the outfielder around for the rest of the Dodgers’ road trip, especially in New York against the Mets “where it would be a little bit of a circus.”

Padilla lands on DL

Dodgers right-hander Vicente Padilla has been put on the 15-day disabled list because his upper right forearm muscle is bothering him. Right-hander Jon Link will take his place on the roster.